LACK OF EFFECTS OF SOME INDIVIDUAL POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHER (PBDE) AND POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (PCB) CONGENERS ON HUMAN LYMPHOCYTE FUNCTIONS IN-VITRO

The structural similarities between polybrominated diphenyl ethers and immunotoxic halogenated aromatic compounds suggest that the polybromi nated diphenyl ethers might affect the immune system. The present stud y was undertaken to investigate the immunological effects of some puri fied PBDE-congeners on human lymphocyte function in vitro. Polychlorin ated biphenyl congeners were also included in the study. Mitogen-induc ed DNA synthesis and immunoglobulin synthesis by lymphocytes from bloo d donors were examined following polybrominated diphenyl ether or poly chlorinated biphenyl exposure in vitro in order to determine the immun otoxic potential of these substances. No effects on mitogen-induced pr oliferation or immunoglobulin synthesis were observed after exposure o f cells to concentrations up to 10(-5) M. The negative findings in thi s study indicate that certain functions of human peripheral lymphocyte s, i.e. proliferation and immunoglobulin synthesis, are insensitive to the direct action of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinat ed biphenyls. Our results are in accordance with other recent studies in which no effects on immunological parameters were demonstrated by e xposure of lymphocytes to polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons in vit ro. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.